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Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Programme
In Kenya, at least 800,000 small farmers depend on dairying for their livelihood. Dairying improves their families' nutrition and provides them with income. In addition to family labour, dairying generates jobs such as wage labour and mobile milk trading for a further 365,000 people. These jobs benefit the poorest people in urban and rural areas. The informal sector is the dominant force in milk trading. About 75 per cent of traded milk is sold outside the processing sector, partly because consumers prefer unprocessed milk and partly because there are inefficiencies in formal trading. This programme fosters market-driven development of the informal dairy industry. It will work with smallholder dairy producers and traders to strengthen their capacity to respond to market opportunities. It will build their understanding of the market and their technical knowledge of production processes. The programme targets resource-poor dairy farmers and small-scale intensive dairy farmers, as well as mobile milk traders and operators of small milk bars and shops. Women comprise about 65 per cent of those expected to benefit. Activities financed by an IFAD loan and grant will help farmers and traders improve their organizational and enterprise skills. It will provide technical support for smallholder dairy producers and will assist in development of the milk marketing chain. It will also support policies and institutions and provide assistance in programme management and coordination. Source: IFAD |
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